Page 27 - link magazine

Sport and Leisure

The Wildcats gear up for the new It all kicks
season off for Trust

The Wildcats column with Mike Wray STFC in
The opening puck drops on a new
season for Swindon Wildcats on 10 September
September and player coach Aaron
Nell says the club’s aim is to fight The Trust STFC column with over the summer, which the Trust
at the right end of the standings chairman Steve Mytton supports, is the Great Western Reds.
and make an impact. This volunteer group of fans has
“There are exciting times ahead,” At last, the football has returned the expressed aim to add a little
the 26-year old told Swindon Link. and the 1-0 win over Coventry City extra colour and volume to Town
“Home attendances have been on the opening day of the season games the country over. Visit www.
rising nicely over recent years, and experienced players here as well kicked things off nicely. We’ve also greatwesternreds.com for a glimpse
the supporters are already buzzing as some talented youngsters so it seen several new signings arrive into their world.
in anticipation of the season. should be a good season for us.” and it will be interesting to see As well as a number of long-term
“We will be firing on all fronts He added: “We want to start the how quickly they gel and whether projects which the Trust board
with the opportunity to enjoy season well and push as high as we or not any of them can make a big continues to beaver away at behind
success in the league and the cup, can. The aim is to finish even higher impression on the pitch. the scenes, we’ve been canvassing
as well as looking to make playoffs up the standings this season, but Why not come along and see opinion about the newly-launched
at a minimum. With a strong core it’s a tough division and there are for yourself? As mentioned last EFL trophy.
from last year, we’ll be aiming to some good teams with some very month, the new ‘Pro Red’ scheme You can find out more about the
bring even more consistency to our good players. enables parents of Wiltshire- introduction of elite academies into
game. “There are players who have based schoolchildren and youth the competition, and have your say
“The last few years have been a been around and played in the top footballers to buy reduced-price on the matter on our website.
great experience for me stepping divisions but we’ve also got that. tickets for Town’s home matches We are about to start promoting
up to the player-coach role, and the “We’ve got the likes of Max in 2016-17, encouraging more our ‘Trust Heroes’ scheme to
time feels right to push on. It’ll be Birbraer and Mark Smith added families to attend the County acknowledge the contribution
another good test for me and I’m to our roster – both experienced Ground. Additionally, the club or of remarkable supporters to our
always learning. players who have done the school the parents are associated small club. Whether this is a
“Everything is great here – off business, so it’s time to bring some with will receive cashback based on completion of ‘the 92’, a dedication
the ice we’re doing a great job and silverware back to the club and the tickets sold through the process. to raising money for Football in the
we’re looking to match that success keep things moving in the right To find out more or to register your Community or anything else, we
on the ice too. direction. family, visit www.pro-red.co.uk. welcome your nominations on our
“The staff and the lads have “The standards are high here and Another initiative established website. www.truststfc.com
been really good. There are some so are expectations.”
The successful first Swindon

Cycle Fest

On Two Wheels by Rob Derry of Swindon Bicycle Users Group (BUG)
The inaugural Swindon Cycle Fest
went off with a bang on 17 July at
the County Ground Athletics Track.
There were cycle clubs, retailers,
cycle groups, Swindon Travel
Choices, Sustrans and of course,
Swindon BUG.
There were bikes of all shapes and with a Beano Comic paint job. There
sizes that everyone could try out were organised rides from the event
from your bog standard two wheeler with Swindon Wheelers, Dame
through single speed, ‘fixies’, Cycling and Sky Rides taking place.
recumbents, cargo bikes and bikes There were many people involved
adapted for use by disabled people. in the organisation of this – too
I had a test ride on a semi- many to mention but I, personally,
recumbent which was an interesting would like to say a big thank you to
ride as the steering was a little everyone involved in the day and I
twitchy and going slow was quite look forward to next year’s.
difficult. My daughter loved the From Swindon BUG’s point of
mini cyclo-cross course set up by view, we collated a lot of feedback
Cotswold Veldrijden where the kids from people about where they
could use one of the club’s Islabikes would like to see improvements
that their members race on. We also made to infrastructure to make
had a ride on a cargo-bike with a cycling easier, safer and more
huge box on the front that would accessible.
take 3 small children. We will be updating our website
There were some stunning bikes on soon and will include all the
display including a Raleigh Chopper information there.

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